When My Plans and God’s Plans Don’t Match

As I review Isaiah 55:8 this morning, I read “My thoughts are not like your thoughts. Your ways are not like my ways.” (NCV)

I would be foolish to act as if I knew what God was thinking and planning. For His knowledge and wisdom are far greater than that of any human. I would also be foolish to try to fit God into my mold, to make his plans and purposes conform to mine. Rather, I must strive to fit into his plans. 

Life is full of interruptions. Sometimes I have big plans for a career, family, or ministry, but God takes my life in a different direction.

When my plans and God’s plans don’t match up, I often try to kick down the door. Then things get worse.

Jonah learned the hard way how to respond when God’s plans and his plans didn’t match. God told Jonah to warn the people of Nineveh that they needed to repent from their evil ways. But Jonah ran from God and ended up in the belly of a big fish, so God had to rescue him.

Jonah then did what God had said to do, but when the people of Nineveh repented and God didn’t punish them, the prophet was extremely disappointed.

God gave Jonah an object lesson. God caused a plant to grow large enough to give Jonah shade. Then he sent a worm to attack the plant and kill it. The next day, as the sun beat down on him, Jonah expressed his frustration to God.

And that’s when God reminded Jonah of four truths to remember when God’s plans differ from mine.

1). God can see things I can’t. He can see the past and the present and the future all at the same time. He created time, so he is not subject to it.

2). God is good to me even when I’m cranky. I may have been going the opposite direction from God, and he still covers me with shade. God cares about my comfort because that’s the kind of God he is. God loves me even when I”m unlovable.

3). God is in control of every detail of my life. My plans don’t fail randomly. God has a purpose in everything in my life. Jonah shows us that God uses both the big (a large fish) and the small (a worm) to direct our lives, but he is in control of it all. 

4). God wants me to focus on what will last. Most of what worries me won’t be around tomorrow. God wanted Jonah to care about the salvation of the people of Nineveh, not a plant that would die the next day. Above all else, focus on getting God’s Word into my heart and bringing people into his family.

Just because my plans aren’t turning out the way I want doesn’t mean God isn’t intimately involved in every step. 

In summary, God’s thoughts are not like my thoughts, and His ways are not like my ways. I would be foolish to act as if I knew what God was thinking and planning. I would also be foolish to try to fit God into my mold, to make his plans and purposes conform to mine. Rather, I must strive to fit into his plans. Life is full of interruptions. Sometimes I have big plans, but God takes my life in a different direction. When my plans and God’s plans don’t match up, I often try to kick down the door. God reminds me through Jonah of four truths to remember when His plans differ from mine. First, God can see things I can’t. He can see the past and the present and the future all at the same time. He created time, so he is not subject to it. Second, God is good to me even when I’m cranky. God cares about my comfort because that’s the kind of God he is. God loves me even when I”m unlovable. Third, God is in control of every detail of my life. God has a purpose in everything in my life. And lastly, God wants me to focus on what will last. Most of what worries me won’t be around tomorrow. God wanted Jonah to care about the salvation of the people of Nineveh, not a plant that would die the next day. Above all else, focus on getting God’s Word into my heart and bringing people into his family. Just because my plans aren’t turning out the way I want doesn’t mean God isn’t intimately involved in every step. 

Today I will ask God to help me see his hand in my broken plans, and to trust him in his goodness as he shows me the way forward. All four truths above are applicable to me today. I have to remember that God has a plan and purpose for me. While I can’t immediately see it, God will do what’s best for me. I just need to keep from getting cranky and put my heart into what will last. I also ask you Father for wisdom and guidance for my day, my work, my plans, my leadership and my interaction with others. These things I pray through you son Jesus’ name, amen.